Method and apparatus for detecting scoliosis

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method of detecting and quantifying a spinal curve is disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining a Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) camera, calibrating the FLIR camera to room temperature, stabilizing the FLIR camera for imaging of a spine of a subject at a position horizontally spaced about ½ to about 3 meters, or about ½ to about 2 meters, from the camera, scanning at least a portion of the spine with the FLIR camera to obtain thermal data, and generating an image of the subject&#39;s spine. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of apparatus for diagnosing medicalconditions and pertains more particularly to a method to detect andquantify scoliosis.

2. Description of Related Art

Scoliosis is a prevalent medical condition principally among adolescentsbut can be present in any age group from newborns to the elderly.Scoliosis is a condition wherein the patient's spine curves from side toside, rotates, or collapses, and in some cases, more than one of theseafflictions will be seen in a patient. In severe cases, when the spinecurves, the rib cage, which is attached to the spine, will move alongwith the spine. This movement can cause various and possibly fatal lungissues, as the ribs can sometimes puncture a lung, or prod at the heart,reducing the functionality of these vital organs and putting the subjectat risk. At around ages 10-14, children are typically tested by apediatrician or a school nurse for scoliosis. However, it may be thatsome scoliosis has already been developing for months, even years beforechildren undergo their first screening, and by then it may havedeveloped into a curve too severe to treat without undergoing surgery.Also, the primary method of scoliosis curve monitoring is X-ray imaging.X-Ray imaging can be harmful and may cause cancer and various otherhealth-related issues. X-ray imaging is not only dangerous but alsocostly, and some patients cannot afford to have repeated X-rays overshort periods of time.

What is clearly needed is a low-cost apparatus and method to detectscoliosis without any chance of harm to the subject, and to detectfrequently when curves have changed, since patients have to wait 6months before finding out if their curve has improved or not. And also,to reduce long commutes for those who live far away from places that dospecialized Scoliosis X-rays.

SUMMARY

One embodiment described herein is a computer-implemented method ofdetecting and quantifying a spinal curve. The method comprises obtaininga Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) camera, calibrating theFLIR camera to room temperature, stabilizing the FLIR camera for imagingof a spine of a subject at a position horizontally spaced about ½ toabout 3 meters, or about ½ to about 2 meters, from the camera, scanningat least a portion of the spine with the FLIR camera to obtain thermaldata, and generating an image of the subject's spine using the thermaldata.

In embodiments, the subject is scanned facing a blank, flat wall whilesituated between the FLIR camera and the wall. In some cases, thesubject is scanned facing a blank wall corner while situated between theFLIR camera and the wall corner.

In some embodiments after images are generated, they are they are putthrough a machine learning software, which uses a classificationalgorithm to determine the subject's spinal curve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an upright view of a back of a person with pronouncedScoliosis.

FIG. 1B is an upright image of a back of a person who does not havescoliosis.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating determination of Cobb Angle inscoliosis.

FIG. 3 is a display of apparatus used in practicing a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a subject facing away from the figure viewpoint,relative to apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an image of a subject's spine taken in practice of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a display of apparatus used in practicing a second embodimentof the present invention with a subject facing away from the figureviewpoint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus and systemfor efficiently and conveniently tracking changes in spinal curvatureover time. The method provides for the collection of accurate datashowing a degree of spinal curvature. In embodiments, the methodincorporates machine learning technology to compare the degree ofcurvature to prior data for the same subject, or data of other subjects,or standardized data.

FIG. 1A is an upright view of a back of a person with pronouncedScoliosis. The spinal curvature in this view has been traced with asolid line 101. FIG. 1B is an upright view of a back of a person withscoliosis, and the spinal curvature in FIG. 1B is also traced with asolid line 102. Comparing the solid-line traces illustrates the effectof scoliosis.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating means of determining a Cobb angle as ameasure of severity of scoliosis. In FIG. 2 a first straight line isdrawn at a right angle to the spine at a vertebra that is the mostdisplaced from the top of the spine, and a similar second line is drawnat a right angle to the spine at a vertebra that is the most displacedat the bottom of the spine. The angle between two other lines at rightangled to the first and second lines, is the Cobb angle, and the greaterthe angle, the greater the degree of scoliosis. Many medicalpractitioners use the Cobb angle as representative to determine a pointat which surgery is advisable. To measure Cobb angle in the conventionalart one must do X-ray imaging. A Cobb angle of 10 degrees is regarded asa minimum angulation to define Scoliosis.

The inventor in this application has developed an apparatus and a methodfor determining presence of scoliosis and degree, without X-ray imaging.The inventor has developed apparatus and a method for imaging the humanspine by irradiating a portion of a subject's back over the location ofthe spine, with infrared light.

FIG. 3 is a display of a first embodiment of an apparatus used inpracticing the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view of a subject 401facing away from the figure viewpoint, relative to apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus formed specifically ofand comprising elements illustrated in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment of the invention a subject 401 (FIG. 4) for whom it isdesired to image the spine to determine presence of scoliosis, anddegree, dons a garment, in this example a vest 301, with purpose offocusing the camera on the spine. The vest has a vertical opening 402 asseen in the figure, which exposes that portion of the subject's backbeneath which the spine is known to be.

The subject stands in a position between a pair of mirrors 403(optional) facing into a corner, in this example, of a folded cardboardpanel, facing away from an infrared heater 302 that is placed at a shortdistance behind the subject, with the heat emitting portion of theheater directed toward the subject, particularly that portion of theback exposed by the opening in the vest. The heater may be of severaldifferent sorts, but in this example is a Beurer™ 300-Watt infraredceramic heater. In one example of the invention a Forward-LookingInfrared Radiometer (FLIR) camera 304 on a stand 303 is positionedbehind and above the heater. In alternative embodiments a Near Infrared(NIR) camera may be used. There may also be other Infrared cameras thatmay be suitable. The height and position of the heater and the cameraare both a matter of experimental result, but typically the heater andthe camera need be within about 4 to 5 feet of the subject.

In some embodiments there may be an agent operating the camera manually.In other embodiments the camera may be set on a timer to activate. Andin some embodiments the camera may be triggered wirelessly by a remotesignal. The camera itself may be a special FLIR camera, or may beadapted from an iPhone, for example. In future embodiments, when thepictures are taken, there may be a smartphone app that willautomatically process the image and provide a Cobb angle calculation forpatients to see how their curve has progressed. This app will allow themto keep track of their curves as well as providing a graph of thepatent's progression over time.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary image taken using the exemplary setup illustratedin FIG. 4. The subject's spine is clearly visible, and the images areusable in determining presence and degree of scoliosis. And this is donewithout X-Ray, which is known to damage tissue, and to have apropensity, at large dosages, of causing cancer.

FIG. 6 is a display of apparatus used in practicing a second embodimentof the present invention. It includes a view of a subject 501 facingaway from the figure viewpoint, relative to apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the invention, the apparatus formed specifically ofand comprising elements illustrated in FIG. 6.

In this second embodiment, a subject 501, for whom it is desired toimage the spine to determine presence and degree of scoliosis, stands ina position facing a flat, blank wall 505 at a short distance behind thecamera 504. The front of the subject's feet is typically positioned at 0to about 10 cm, or 0 to about 5 cm, away from the wall. The “blank” wallhas a solid color, which is usually white, off-white or light gray.Other solid colors can be used as long as the color does not interferewith the clarity of the infrared image of the subject's spine. In oneexample of the invention, a Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR)camera is placed on a stand 503 and calibrated to room temperature(about 68-74° F. or about 70-72° F.), which typically will take about 20minutes before photos are taken. The temperature of the room is kept atconstant temperature. The subject stands about ½ to about 3 meters, orabout ½ to about 2 meters, away from the camera, with the distance beingmeasured from the back of the heel or shoe of the subject. The subjectremoves their shirt before scanning and has their back bare for about 10minutes before images are to be taken.

In alternative embodiments a Near Infrared (NIR) camera may be used.Other infrared cameras may also be suitable. The height and position ofthe camera are a matter of experimental result, but typically the cameraneeds to be within one meter (about 4 to 5 feet) from the heels of thesubject.

In embodiments, the FLIR camera has tools for changing color associationrelative to temperature. The FLIR camera includes a lens, and a housingcontaining a thermal sensor and processing electronics. In some cases,at least a portion of the processing electronics are contained in aseparate device and the FLIR camera transmits data to the separatedevice. In embodiments, the camera is capable of detecting smalldifferences in temperature of the subject's spine, e.g. differences ofabout 0.1° F., within the temperature range of about 65° F. to about105° F. The field of view of the camera lens typically is at least 45degrees. In embodiments, the FLIR camera has a resolution in the rangeof about 160×120 pixels with ±2% accuracy. In some cases, the FLIRcamera has a thermal sensitivity or Noise Equivalent TemperatureDifference (NETD) in the range of about 0.0 to about 0.11° F. Inembodiments, the FLIR camera is longwave, with a spectral range of about8 microns to about 14 microns. One non-limiting example of a FLIR camerathat can be used is the FLIR E6 Infrared Camera with MSX®. Inembodiments, the temperature of the subject's muscles surrounding thespine typically is in the range of about 90-93° F., or about 90.5-92.5°F. Higher temperature are detected when the subject has a greater degreeof scoliosis as compared to a low degree of scoliosis or no scoliosis.

In some embodiments after images are generated, they are they are putthrough machine learning software, which uses a classification algorithmto determine the presence of the subject's spinal curve. The machinelearning software can be used to determine whether the curve is an Scurve or a C curve by comparing the new image to a training set storedin its database. After the initial comparison, it will then be comparedto a narrower dataset of either S or C curve images. The program can beused to estimate the Cobb angle of the depicted curves. The data can bedisplayed as images, graphs, tables, pictures, etc.

In some embodiments that employ a vest, it may be 3-D printed from asuitable material which provides contrast and other imagecharacteristics and in some cases will improve image results. In otherembodiments, a vest is not used. In certain embodiments other softwaremay be incorporated.

The skilled person will understand that the figures and descriptions ofembodiments of the invention provided above are entirely exemplary, andthat there will be many alterations that may be made in apparatus and inarrangement of elements within the scope of the invention. For example,the specific design of the vest is a preference rather than a strictrequirement, and material of the vest may differ in differentembodiments for different purposes. Also, there are several imagingdevices that may be suitable, and several infrared heaters that may alsobe suitable, without significantly altering the results.

If a vest is used, the fabric for the vest may be, for example,cotton-polyester, which drapes well, and blocks infrared from parts ofthe body where heating is not wanted. If there are pockets behind thefabric, air in the pockets will heat, and may obscure images of thespine. There will be improvements made the vest to help reduce thescattering, as well as the way it sticks to the skin so there are fewerair pockets that appear due to the fabric not being tight enough orforming any curves. The vest could potentially be made of plastic,though the next model will likely be made of denim, which would blockout Infrared a lot, and would have Velcro in the front to hold ittogether. The idea of adding tape to the back to make it stick betterand reduce air pockets would be incorporated into this. The vest mightalso be 3-D printed from a suitable material.

The mirrors may not be used in some embodiments, and the angle of themirrors may change. The purpose of the mirrors is to control scatteringof infrared radiation.

One embodiment of the method is as follows:

-   -   Setup is made    -   Subject dons vest and assumed position    -   Camera is triggered multiple times, perhaps under different        circumstances    -   Photos are uploaded to a computer executing image-processing        software. The pictures can be taken directly in a smartphone app        that will automatically do image processing and provide the Cobb        angle. Uploading to a computer is not required in this case        since the app will be doing all the work.    -   Photos are sorted for best quality    -   Best photos are used to determine presence and severity of        Scoliosis

In another embodiment of the invention another step may be added, usinga Python code with fifth-degree polynomials to graph the spinal curve,and from that curve use more code in order to determine the Cobb angle.This will be part of the function of the future smart phone app. Oncethe picture is taken, the app will figure out the curve by usingfifth-degree polynomials.

In addition, in some advanced embodiments, is FEP (Fluorinated EthylenePropylene) tape, which has an ability to disguise objects under anInfrared camera because of extraordinary temperature resistance, is usedto outline the spine and the back, which enhances the clarity of theimages. In addition, in some embodiments reflective stickers may beused. This might be part of the vest or standalone to reduce thescattering.

A number of alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvementstherein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which arealso intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method of detecting andquantifying a spinal curve comprising: obtaining a Forward-LookingInfrared Radiometer camera, calibrating the Forward-Looking InfraredRadiometer camera to room temperature, stabilizing the Forward-LookingInfrared Radiometer camera for imaging of a spine of a subject at aposition horizontally spaced about ½ to about 3 meters from the camera,scanning at least a portion of the spine with the Forward-LookingInfrared Radiometer camera to obtain thermal data, generating at leastone image of the subject's spine using the thermal data, calculating afirst Cobb angle of the spinal curve at a first date, calculating asecond Cobb angle of the spinal curve at a second date, and analyzingthe at least one image using machine learning software which uses aclassification algorithm to determine the presence of the spinal curve,wherein the machine learning software is configured to compare thesecond Cobb angle to the first Cobb angle to detect whether the spinalcurve has changed.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject isscanned facing a blank wall while situated between the Forward-LookingInfrared Radiometer camera and the blank wall.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the subject is scanned facing a flat wall surface while situatedbetween the Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer camera and the flat wallsurface.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is scanned facinga wall corner while situated between the Forward-Looking InfraredRadiometer camera and the wall corner.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe curve is further categorized as either a S or C type spinal curve.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stabilizing comprisesstabilizing the Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer camera for imagingof a spine of a subject at a position horizontally spaced about ½ toabout 2 meters from the camera.